HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Should I go back to a cardiologist?

Support Forums
>
Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/10/2012 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody hope all is well,

I am 23 on Thursday and 5'11" 185lbs.

I suffer from some pretty bad anxiety and panic attacks starting 3 years ago. When I first had this anxiety, it was about having a heart attack or having heart disease. So I had EKG, Chest Xray, Echocardiograhm, 24 hr halter monitor all ran and nobody could find anything wrong with me. I was diagnosed with Anxiety and able to get an Anti-Depressant to calm it down previously. I had no symptoms for years and thought the issue when away, even stopping the medication 9 months after these issues surfaces.

6 months ago I had some intense numbness in my left arm followed by rapid heart rate, and all the other panic symptonps. However, I still randomly get pain in my left shoulder and chest. Also, feels like it is numb sometimes. I got back on an AD and going to therapy weekly to get through all this. :(


It has been 3.5 years since I last saw a cardiologist about any of my concerns. Should I go see one again? My psychiatrist and psychologist both insist that I do not need to since my tests all came back great when I visited them last time.

Thanks in Advance

Post Edited (LivingWellH1989) : 7/10/2012 5:12:45 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/11/2012 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
By all means go have a chat with your local doc and see if they say you should go to a specialist. However at 23 with a history of clear thorough testing, if the doc says you are still fine try to accept that and concentrate on dealing with the panic attacks. Good luck!
Posted 7/12/2012 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, go back to heart doctor, never take anyone's word that you are okay if you feel you are not, only the doctor can give you that peace of mind.
If you continue feeling there is something wrong the anxiety attacks will continue... I have suffered from anxiety for over 40 years and know a lot of the pit falls. It costs little to put your mind at ease. God willing everything will come out just fine, then you should start relaxation exercise you can get these tapes just about any where they are wonderful, and along with your meds, you will start to feel better.
Also put an elastic around your wrist and snap it as the attack starts this keeps you in the here and now, anxiety is irrational thoughts that pass through our minds so quickly we cannot catch what they are, the snapping the electric while it hurts pulls you back from a full blown anxiety attack..
Good luck God Bless!!
Posted 7/12/2012 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
LivingWellH1989,

I would strongly advise you to see your Cardiologist if it has been 3.5 years and you have been symptoms free.  You will feel better once you have been checked out by the cardiologist and yes you do have anxiety but we sometimes do have physical problems that cause our symptoms. 

Once you get the all clear from a cardiologist you can set aside any worries about your heart and keep working  on the ways to learn to deal with your anxiety. 

Meanwhile you may want to take a look at the following websites:

Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

Kindly,

Kitt

  

Posted 10/12/2012 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
LivingWellH1989,

Do you strongly feel that you do have anxiety, or do you think docs are missing something? If you feel it is not anxiety, please, press on to find the answer you feel in your heart is the correct one. I was told for six years that I had anxiety, but I always knew that was not the case. Last year, I was finally diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). I think it is worth your time to look into it, and feel free to contact me if you wish.

Best regards,
Brandi
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply